BRITISH road crashes involving foreign lorries have soared by 14 per cent in the last two years.

Polish, German and Spanish truckers are most likely to be in a motorway crash, according to new research released today.

Lorries from Poland were involved in nearly 16 per cent of heavy goods vehicle smashes on motorways, while German and Spanish were responsible for 13 and six per cent respectively.

The busy M25 saw most accidents at 21 per cent, followed by the M6 and M1, sharing seven per cent of all foreign lorry crashes.

Figures from motoring specialists Accident Exchange which found nearly 1,100 HGV crashes took place on motorways in 2014 - nearly three a day.

It is an increase of 14.3 per cent since 2012.

SWNS

A family of four was killed last summer in Polmont near Falkirk

These worrying statistics show that a collision with a foreign lorry is an increasingly real possibility

Liz Fisher

Taking into account accidents on all roads in the UK, there are 3,100 a year or nearly nine a day.

Liz Fisher, of Accident Exchange, said: "These worrying statistics show that a collision with a foreign lorry is an increasingly real possibility.

"A heavy goods vehicle in unfamiliar territory can be a danger. Common types of accidents involving trucks are cars getting caught in the blind spot of a lorry that is changing lanes or cars being rear-ended by a much bigger, heavier vehicle. "Both are equally as dangerous and we urge all motorists to drive with safety and vigilance in mind at all times.

"While safety is the paramount concern, getting involved in an accident with a vehicle from abroad can also lead to frustrating and difficult administrative complications."